Street-Style Mexican Eats at Tamales Express

Tamales, elotes and guac. Need we say more?

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A fan favorite at last year’s inaugural SpoonFest, an annual farmer’s market put on by your very own Northwestern Spoon chapter, Tamales Express will be back again this year to serve up delicious tamales, mangoes, and more.

Photo by Lauren Goldstein

Before the creation of Tamales Express, parent restaurant Vegetarian Express opened in September of 2011, providing a new source of variety for local vegans and vegetarians. It has enjoyed tremendous success since its opening, so much so that a second location was opened in July 2015. Vegetarian Express serves a variety of vegan and vegetarian-friendly food including omelettes, tacos, paninis and smoothies, but the tamales are a particular fan favorite.

When they started receiving requests from omnivorous patrons to include meat in their tamales, the owners of Vegetarian Express decided to create Tamales Express, a food stand that opened for business in the summer of 2012.

Tamales Express travels to farmer’s markets and special events, serving up authentic street-style Mexican for affordable prices. The menu includes mouthwatering items like elotes, mangoes, made-to-order guacamole and of course tamales. It’s hard to pick a favorite from this delicious menu, but bestsellers include the poblano pepper and cheese tamales and the Amish chicken tamale with red mole.

Photo by Lauren Goldstein

Both Vegetarian Express and Tamales Express use fresh, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible to provide the best eating experience for their customers. They pride themselves on providing quality food to everyone, with options that those who are gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan and omnivorous can all enjoy.

Photo by Lauren Goldstein

Tamales Express won’t be at the Evanston Farmer’s market this season, but have no fear. After you fall in love with their mouthwatering tamales at SpoonFest, you can find all of Tamale Express’ non-meat options and more at either of Vegetarian Express’s two locations. They’re both in downtown Chicago, and one is just a short ride away on Chicago’s Red Line.

Be sure to stop by Tamales Express at SpoonFest Friday, May 20th 2016 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Deering Meadow!